World Conference of Science Journalists

Strengthening science journalism at the WCSJ2027

14th World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ2027)

The World Conference of Science Journalists returns to London on 6-9 September 2027, under the theme ‘Strengthening science journalism through global networks’.

WCSJ2027 will be hosted by the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ). The event will mark the 80th anniversary of ABSW.

The programme will include professional development workshops, keynote speakers, parallel sessions discussing both journalism and cutting-edge science, field trips to the UK’s world-leading research and cultural institutions, with plenty of reporting opportunities.

Networking will be built into the programme from the outset, both through our dedicated conference app and live opportunities.

If you want to be the first to know everything about the conference in London, subscribe to the WCSJ2027 Newsletter.

“Our mission for WCSJ2027 is clear: to strengthen the frontlines of truth by building stronger global networks — connecting journalists, editors, educators, and innovators from every continent.” — Alex O’Brien, ABSW Vice-Chair

Tickets

Super Early Bird Rates, saving 13% on Early Bird Rates

ABSW/WFSJ Member, £370 + VAT
ABSW Student, £275 + VAT
Virtual: ABSW/WFSJ Member, £370 + VAT
Virtual: ABSW/WFSJ Student, £275 + VAT

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Early bird rates open in July 2026 to any participant, and standard rates will be in place from April 2027.

Science journalists prepare to head to Beijing in 2029

Photo: Trey Ratcliff/Flickr

10 December 2025

The World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) is pleased to announce that the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ) 2029 will take place in Beijing, China, following an extensive and thoughtful review of two strong bids.

The WFSJ Board devoted more than 20 hours to evaluating the proposals, engaging in wide-ranging discussions and listening closely to the perspectives of member associations. The final decision was reached after careful consideration of many complex factors, including organisational capacity, global engagement, and long-term sustainability for the federation and the conference.

Announcing the bid result during the closing ceremony of WCSJ Pretoria on 4 December 2025, WFSJ President Ben Deighton said: “It took the board more than 20 hours of careful deliberations to decide. Our discussions were long and complex, and we endeavoured to take a diversity of views into account and listened carefully to our members’ views in reaching our final decision.”

Historically, the WCSJ has served as the principal economic engine of the Federation, enabling the WFSJ to support its global network of more than 10, 000 science journalists. The Board’s considerations included the financial sustainability of both the conference and the federation as a whole — an essential responsibility entrusted to the Board by its members.

Like all WCSJs, the conference will include a commitment to the independence of all delegates and will have a fully independent Programme Committee, who will be free to choose any topic they deem relevant to participants.

WFSJ looks forward to working closely with our colleagues in China, our member associations, and partners around the world to build an inspiring, inclusive, and globally engaged WCSJ 2029.

Interested in hosting the next World Conference of Science Journalists?

Learn more about the bidding process for the 2031 World Conference of Science Journalists

Only member associations in good standing with WFSJ can bid to host the prestigious Federation’s World Conference of Science Journalists. Associations typically bid at least four years in advance. All requirements for preparing a bid are outlined in the WCSJ_Conference_Manual. The Manual is also replete with the accumulated wisdom and experience gained from hosting previous conferences. (The document presents the timeline for the WCSJ2029 bidding process as an example. The timeline for 2031 will be shared in due time.)

Other resources

Previous bids are full of ideas:

WCSJ2027 London (UK) bid and website.
WCSJ2025 Pretoria (South Africa) bid and legacy website.
WCSJ2019 Lausanne (Switzerland) bid, and legacy website.
WCSJ2017 San Francisco (USA) bid and legacy website.

13th World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ2025)

The WCSJ2025 was held from 1-5 December 2025, with the theme ‘Science journalism and social justice: journalism that builds understanding and resilience’. It took place at the International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

The conference was organised by the South African Science Journalists’ Association (SASJA), with the support of the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA), an initiative of the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Visit the legacy website…

Relive WCSJ2025 at your own pace

All the 58 WCSJ 2025 sessions presented in four venues on 2, 3 and 4 December 2025 were recorded. Participants and new registrants can watch them post-conference at their own pace.

You can sign up with your code if you already have a ticket, or received a free subscription as an attending delegate.

You can also purchase your access as part of our full access post-conference offering for 510 ZAR (approximately 30 USD, 22.50 British Pounds, 25 Euros, 45 Australian Dollars, or 4,669 Japanese Yen).

Each ticket gives you full access to all 4 live-streamed rooms for a full year. Sign in and learn from some of the best in the science journalism fraternity.

Check the full programme here…

“It’s a great privilege to host the World Conference of Science Journalists 2025,” said Mandi Smallhorne, president of SASJA, ahead of the meeting.
“As it is the first time the conference has ever been held on African soil, this is truly a historic event, we’re delighted to be the pioneers! We look forward to welcoming the science journalists of the world to our home. We are sure it will be an eye-opening and rewarding experience. Our beautiful country has a lot to share, and that includes some fascinating scientific experiences, from the Square Kilometre Array, to cutting edge genomic sequencing, to the Cradle of Humankind. We are brewing plans for a tempting combination: an engaging, relevant and stimulating programme that will offer opportunities for both inspiration and growth, and a bouquet of day trips and longer options to explore the country’s science initiatives and its natural and cultural glories.”